Common Injuries  

• Torn meniscus
• Loose fragments of bone or cartilage
• Damaged joint surfaces or softening of the articular cartilage, known as chondromalacia
• Inflammation of the synovial membrane, such as arthritis
• Abnormal alignment or instability of the kneecap
• Torn ligaments, including the anterior, posterior cruciate ligaments, and collateral ligaments

Signs and Symptoms of Common Injuries

• Swelling
• Locking, Catching, or Giving Way
• Pain along the medial or lateral joint lines
• Pain around or under the knee cap
• Limited range of motion  

 

                
                   

Evaluation Procedure 

The first step in the evaluation procedure is obtaining a detailed medical history of the patient.  On your initial visit you will fill out a medical questionnaire in order to gain a complete medical history and a history of your current knee symptoms. X-rays of the injured knee to detect any fractures or degenerative conditions of the bone will be obtained as needed. The doctor will then take a history and evaluate the knee by checking its range of motion, strength, along with performing any of the necessary special tests to help determine the nature of the injury.  The x-rays will also be reviewed. Dr. Schlehr may then arrange for you to undergo a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to provide more information about the soft tissues of your knee.  Once the results of the test have been reviewed, a second visit will be scheduled and Dr. Schlehr will then discuss with you the best methods of treatment for the injury.  

Common Methods of Treatment  

·         NSAIDS (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)  

·         Physical Therapy  

·         Cortisone Injections  

·         Synvisc Injections  

·         Surgical Intervention

    - Our Physician Assistant, Nicole Schmidt, giving a Synvisc injection.

Knee Arthroscopy 
 

The majority of Dr. Schlehr’s surgeries are performed on an outpatient basis.  One of the most common surgical procedures Dr. Schlehr conducts is a knee arthroscopy.  Arthroscopy allows the doctor to view the entire knee joint, using very small incisions.  The arthroscope is a small tool which transmits a picture of the knee joint onto a television monitor.  This allows for the doctor to easily view the entire joint and determine the source of the injury.  

All of the doctor’s surgeries are conducted under general anesthesia.  Once the joint is steriley prepped, the doctor makes three small incisions.  He will then insert the arthroscope to properly diagnose your problem.  Once the problem is found on the television monitor, the doctor is then able to reconstruct, repair, or remove the damaged tissues.  Once the procedure is complete Dr. Schlehr will close the incisions using a single suture or steri strips in each.  The surgical procedure can last anywhere from 20 minutes to 1 ½ hours.   

The patient is then moved to the recovery room.  It will usually take between one to two hours before the patient is released to go home.  The patient is also required to have someone with them to drive them home.  

From there, the patient will meet regularly with the doctor in his office to follow the rehabilitation process.  Patients are placed in physical therapy within 1-3 days from the surgery and will meet with them 2-3 times per week.  

Returning to Work  

Many times, the timetable to return to work depends on the nature of the patient’s job.  Desk work can be resumed as early as one week from surgery.  It is important to remember that not all surgeries are the same, and that different patients heal at different rates.